Single-nanopore investigations with ion conductance microscopy

ACS Nano. 2011 Oct 25;5(10):8404-11. doi: 10.1021/nn203205s. Epub 2011 Sep 26.

Abstract

A three-electrode scanning ion conductance microscope (SICM) was used to investigate the local current-voltage properties of a single nanopore. In this experimental configuration, the response measured is a function of changes in the resistances involved in the pathways of ion migration. Single-nanopore membranes utilized in this study were prepared with an epoxy painting procedure to isolate a single nanopore from a track-etch multipore membrane. Current-voltage responses measured with the SICM probe in the vicinity of a single nanopore were investigated in detail and agreed well with equivalent circuit models proposed in this study. With this modified SICM, the current-voltage responses characterized for the case of a single cylindrical pore and a single conical pore exhibit distinct conductance properties that originate from the geometry of nanopores.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't